CDC recommends queer men & trans women take a morning after pill to prevent STIs

The Centers for Disease Control are recommending widespread use of a common antibiotic as a morning-after pill to battle the growing scourge of STIs among gay and bisexual men and transgender women.

Guidelines from the CDC published on Monday propose health providers offer doxycycline to men who have sex with men, and trans women, within three days of having unprotected sex in a formulation commonly known as doxy PEP (or post-exposure preventative).

Related: Rep. Barbara Lee says PEPFAR is “in peril” amid conservative attacks and looming government shutdown

The widely hailed Bush-era HIV/AIDS program’s reauthorization is set to lapse October 1.

“From 2011-2021, reported STIs have increased 42 per cent, with more than 2.5 million cases in 2021 alone,” Dr. Jonathan Mermin, the director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention posted to X on Monday along with the announcement.

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Pleased to announce the draft guidelines for doxycycline (doxy) as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for STIs. #HCPs & members of communities heavily affected by #STIs, share your input